Interlake High School student Audrey Chen will spend her summer playing in one of the greatest concert halls in the world as a member of the first-ever National Youth Orchestra of the United States of America (NYO-USA).

Chen, a cellist in Interlake’s Chamber Orchestra, is one of 120 young musicians in the country – and one of six in Washington state – chosen to participate.

A second Interlake student, Dong Hee Lee, was named as an alternate.

As part of the orchestra, Chen will travel to New York this June, where she will spend two weeks rehearsing and working with professional musicians. Following the rehearsals, Chen will embark on a worldwide concert tour with the orchestra, which will take them to Washington, D.C.’s Kennedy Center, as well as Moscow, St. Petersburg and London.

“It’s really a one of a kind experience,” said Chen, a junior. “I’m really excited to be in such a high level orchestra with such

amazing conductors and amazing soloists.”

The orchestra was created by Carnegie Hall’s Weill Music Institute and features students ages 16-19 from all 50 states. Students were required to submit a performance video, along with a written application.

Students in the inaugural orchestra will be led by world-renowned conductor Valery Gergiev and perform with acclaimed violinist Joshua Bell.